YBhg Tan Sri Dato' Azman Hashim, Chairman, AmBank Group, in his speech, said, "Until today, there has been an apparent gap in the marketplace for a comprehensive, up-to-date and user-friendly source of information on corporate bonds - this is where the Malaysia Corporate Bond Handbook comes in. In the handbook, we present credit briefs in the form of factsheets for 100 private debt security (PDS) issuers in the market. These are among the largest PDS issuances in the market, making up more than 60% of total outstanding PDS. The handbook is designed to be a convenient guidebook for quick reference of major factual information about issuers and their PDS issuances."

The information will include issuer overviews, outstanding facility details, credit ratings, investment considerations, major terms and covenants, and marked-to-market yield comparisons.

The development of the bond market in Malaysia has been noteworthy. In the global Islamic bonds market, Malaysia was the top issuer with a staggering 80% market share (Dealogic Islamic Bonds by Country League Table for the one year period ending 9th July), while in Asian bonds, Malaysia ranks within the top three in issuance. Additionally, with relaxation in guidelines by both Bank Negara Malaysia and Securities Commission Malaysia, there has been an influx of foreign issuance entering the Ringgit bond market. This has helped broaden and deepen the Malaysian bond market.

"In this regard, I am confident that Malaysia's first corporate bond handbook is yet another positive contribution in the development of the bond markets in Malaysia," added Tan Sri Dato' Azman.

In debt advisory, AmInvestment Bank Group, the investment banking subsidiary of the AmBank Group, recently garnered top position in the Bloomberg Islamic Bonds Global Lead Manager League Table with a 29.5% market share, amounting to USD1.96 billion of issuance (for the period 1 January - 30 June 2009). In addition, AmInvestment Bank Group also launched the ABF Malaysia Bond Fund as well as the first Malaysian Government Bond Index.

The second highlight of the ceremony was the announcement of the renaming of the Group Treasury division to Treasury and Markets. "Following the expansion of the scope of business to include the foreign exchange, interest rate and commodities derivatives business, a collaboration with the Group's strategic partner the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited (ANZ), we are now poised to take advantage of further opportunities in forex and interest rate derivatives, as well as commodity hedging solutions," said Tan Sri Dato' Azman.

Helming the Treasury and Markets division is Managing Director, Mr Teng Chean Choy, and Co-Head, Ms Yvonne Phe. Mr Teng has extensive experience of over 20 years in the treasury area, including heading the AmBank Group's treasury activities in fixed income, futures, money market, foreign exchange, Ringgit derivatives as well as debt capital markets. Ms Yvonne Phe has 15 years of experience with the AmBank Group, and has developed award-winning fixed income and structured solutions during her tenure as Chief Investment Officer, Fixed Income for the Funds Management Division of AmInvestment Bank Group.

Tan Sri Dato' Azman continued, "Under Mr Teng and Ms Yvonne's guidance, I look forward to even further enhancements in the AmBank Group's bond market offerings, which I trust will bring our position as a leading player in the Malaysian bond markets to new heights. Additionally, they will be supported by an expert team whose collective experience covers the full spectrum of markets products. I hope our clients will not hesitate to call upon the team to discuss all their investment, trading and markets business needs."

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For further information, please contact Syed Anuar Syed Ali, Director, Group Public Affairs, AmBank Group at Tel: 03-2036 1703 or email at sasa@ambg.com.my